Translator: CinderTL
Upon seeing this, everyone's expressions turned grim. The situation was far more complicated than they had anticipated.
But one thing was now clear.
Xiang Nan had a problem.
And it was a problem that existed even when she was still alive.
Both of her husbands and her two children had died unnatural deaths.
All of this was related to her.
And then there was this so-called prophecy.
October 17th.
What exactly would happen on that day? "When did Xiang Nan's first husband die?" Jiang Cheng turned to Huai Yi, as most of the information about Xiang Nan's past had been gathered by him.
"I can't remember the exact date, but I'm sure it was in October," Huai Yi said with certainty.
October again. "It must have been before October 17th," Jiang Cheng speculated after some thought. "I think Xiang Nan's first husband also sensed something abnormal."
"But he chose to commit suicide before the date arrived, while Yin Zhenliang was more decisive—he killed Xiang Nan directly, putting an end to the prophecy at its source."
Seeing that no one else was speaking, Yu Yu whispered, "What kind of prophecy could drive two men to such extremes, to the point where death was the only option?"
"The answer is simple," Jiang Cheng said, putting away the paper and glancing at Yu Yu. "Once the prophecy came true, they would face a fate worse than death."
Hearing this, Wang Changguo, who was already terrified, turned even paler. "Worse than death... What... what could be worse than death?"
He couldn't comprehend it.
Similarly, many others in the room couldn't either.
But aside from this, Jiang Cheng couldn't think of any other explanation.
The most crucial piece of information was still missing: what exactly would happen on October 17th? This was a matter of life and death for all of them.
Cao Yang said with a hint of resignation, "It's a pity that everyone who knew the truth is already dead. Zhao Ru might know something, but she's with the ghost now and won't help us."
"There's one more person," Yu Yu spoke up firmly. "Director Qi. We can call him. The situation is already this dire, he—"
"No," Jiang Cheng interrupted.
"Why not?"
Jiang Cheng looked at Yu Yu. "Have you ever wondered why Director Qi hasn't shown up until now?"
"He's hiding," Yu Yu replied.
From what they knew now, Director Qi was Zhao Ru's biological father. And judging by the fates of Xiang Nan's first two husbands, the female ghost's next target would be him.
"Exactly because of that, we should call him over and protect him," Wang Changguo said, his emotions teetering on the edge of control.
As he spoke, Wang Changguo pulled out his phone. "Does anyone have Director Qi's number? I'll call him. This is his mess to begin with. What kind of person leaves us here like this?"
"If we're going to die, we'll die together. No one gets to run away!"
"Idiot!" Huai Yi snatched the phone from Wang Changguo's hand and cursed, "If you want to die, go die alone. Don't drag us down with you!"
Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes, his icy gaze sweeping over Wang Changguo. The latter had been about to retort, but after sensing the intensity in Jiang Cheng's stare, he stopped himself and merely glared fiercely at Huai Yi.
"If you make that call, you might expose Director Qi's location. The ghost will find him, kill him, and the game will be over," Jiang Cheng said slowly.
Upon hearing this, Wang Changguo's face turned pale, clearly realizing that his actions had nearly cost everyone their lives. He finally put away his phone and said, "This won't work, that won't work, so what do you suggest we do?"
The trail had gone cold here, and even if everyone was willing to investigate further, they had lost their direction.
Jiang Cheng turned his head and looked toward the lobby not far away, where the lights were still on.
"There's one person who definitely knows about this," Jiang Cheng said. "The former dean, Zhang Zhaowei."
Based on the layout of Ward 624 and the personnel arrangements, Jiang Cheng deduced that Zhang Zhaowei must have known some hidden secrets.
"Him?" Cao Yang was taken aback. "But isn't he dead?"
"He is dead, but I believe he must have left some clues behind. Through those clues, we might be able to find a way out," Jiang Cheng asserted confidently.
"He's right," Huai Yi chimed in, addressing the group. "According to my investigation, Yin Zhenliang had close contact with Zhang Zhaowei before sending Xiang Nan to the hospital."
Huai Yi then let out a sigh, his tone tinged with a hint of confusion. "Miss Lin and I went to Zhang Zhaowei's office, but we found nothing."
"It's not in the office," Jiang Cheng shook his head. "It should be at his home."
Huai Yi's eyes lit up, and he asked in surprise, "How do you know that?"
"Zhang Zhaowei told me," Jiang Cheng hinted. "He told me a story about himself. After he died, his body actually walked out of the morgue on its own, made its way back home, and squatted by the bed until a neighbor discovered it later."
"I think whatever he was hiding is near the bed, maybe even under the mattress. Otherwise, why wouldn't he lie on the bed but instead squat there?"
"But he's a ghost," Wang Changguo immediately questioned. "How can you trust a ghost? What if he was just boasting?"
"And if he really wanted to warn us, why didn't he just say directly that the thing is hidden under the mattress at home? Why go through such a roundabout way?"
Wang Changguo's words did carry some weight.
Huai Yi stroked his chin, deep in thought. Having some understanding of Nightmares, he was more inclined to accept Jiang Cheng's explanation.
"It's an Obsession," Huai Yi said with certainty. "Although Zhang Zhaowei is dead, his Obsession before death made him unable to let go of this thing."
"After death, his memory became blurry, and he even forgot who he was. But he remembered this thing because it was very important to him," Huai Yi continued. "I agree with Brother Jiang. That thing is hidden in Zhang Zhaowei's home."
However, the enthusiasm and hope that had just ignited in everyone were quickly dampened again.
Because no one knew where Zhang Zhaowei's home was.
Huai Yi had gathered a lot of information before, but he had overlooked this detail.
If it had been a day earlier, this wouldn't have been a difficult task. But now, time was of the essence, and the outside world was clearly different from before.
As the situation reached a deadlock, Yu Yu timidly raised her hand. "I... I think I might know."
"Speak!" several voices urged in unison.
"I... I don't know right now, but I know where we can find out," Yu Yu quickly added, worried that everyone might misunderstand. "Do you remember the body we saw in the morgue?"
At this, Cao Yang's eyes lit up. "Are you saying there's information on the body?"
"I remember there was, no, I'm certain there was!" Yu Yu said. "It was a white card tied to the corpse's foot. I remember there was an address on it, in the southern part of the city."
"What in the southern part of the city?" Huai Yi pressed. "Be more specific!"
"I forgot."
(End of the Chapter)
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